1,787 research outputs found
The Information Of The Milky Way From 2MASS Whole Sky Star Count: The Bimodal Color Distributions
The J-Ks color distribution (CD) with a bin size of 0.05 magnitude for the
entire Milky Way has been carried out by using the Two Micron All Sky Survey
Point Source Catalog (2MASS PSC). The CDs are bimodal, which has a red peak at
0.8 < J-Ks < 0.85 and a blue peak at 0.3 < J-Ks < 0.4. The colors of the red
peak are more or less the same for the whole sky, but that of the blue peak
depend on Galactic latitude, (J-Ks ~ 0.35 at low Galactic latitudes and 0.35 <
J-Ks < 0.4 for other sky areas). The blue peak dominates the bimodal CDs at low
Galactic latitudes and becomes comparable with the red peak in other sky
regions. In order to explain the bimodal distribution and the global trend
shown by the all sky 2MASS CDs, we assemble an empirical HR diagram, which is
composed by observational-based near infrared HR diagrams and color magnitude
diagrams, and incorporate a Milky Way model. In the empirical HR diagram, the
main sequence stars turnoff the thin disk is relatively bluer, (J-Ks)0 = 0.31,
when we compare with the thick disk which is (J-Ks)0 = 0.39. The age of the
thin/thick disk is roughly estimated to be around 4-5/8-9 Gyr according to the
color-age relation of the main sequence turnoff. In general, the 2MASS CDs can
be treated as a tool to census the age of stellar population of the Milky Way
in a statistical manner and to our knowledge this is a first attempt to measure
the age.Comment: Accepted by ApJ on Sept. 11 201
Surface scattering mechanisms of tantalum nitride thin film resistor
In this letter, we utilize an electrical analysis method to develop a TaN thin film resistor with a stricter spec and near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) for car-used electronic applications. Simultaneously, we also propose a physical mechanism mode to explain the origin of near-zero TCR for the TaN thin film resistor (TFR). Through current fitting, the carrier conduction mechanism of the TaN TFR changes from hopping to surface scattering and finally to ohmic conduction for different TaN TFRs with different TaN microstructures. Experimental data of currentāvoltage measurement under successive increasing temperature confirm the conduction mechanism transition. A model of TaN grain boundary isolation ability is eventually proposed to influence the carrier transport in the TaN thin film resistor, which causes different current conduction mechanisms
Well-differentiated gall bladder hepatoid carcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Gall bladder carcinoma is rare, and metastatic gall bladder carcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported in only a few patients.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a 73-year-old man with a history of hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. He received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, and was diagnosed to have an alpha-fetoprotein producing gall bladder tumor with intraluminal growth. Open cholecystectomy was performed. Pathologic examination of the lesion revealed a well-differentiated hepatoid carcinoma. The lesion was thought most likely to be a metastatic lesion from previous hepatocellular carcinoma. His alpha-fetoprotein level dropped to normal levels five months after the surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This unusual intraluminal growing tumor proved to be a well-differentiated hepatoid carcinoma, most likely a metastatic lesion from previous hepatocellular carcinoma. This case reminds clinicians that in looking for likely hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, when no detectable hepatic lesion can account for an elevated alpha-fetoprotein level, the gall bladder should be included in the search for the site of metastasis.</p
Regulator of the mucoid phenotype A gene increases the virulent ability of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing serotype non-K1/K2 Klebsiella pneumonia
BackgroundTo determine whether the presence of a capsule regulator gene [i.e., regulator of mucoid phenotype A (rmpA) gene] contributes to virulence on extended-spectrum Ī²-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) with serotype non-K1/K2 strains.MethodsTwenty-eight ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP isolates were collected from the Tri-Service General Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan). The impact of the virulent rmpA gene in different capsular polysaccharide serotypes on ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP isolates was studied by a neutrophil phagocytosis reaction, a serum bactericidal assay, and an animal survival model.ResultsResistance to broad spectrum antibiotics was more prevalent in ESBL-KP strains than in non-ESBL-KP strains (pĀ <Ā 0.01). The ESBL-KP strains had different molecular patterns from non-ESBL-KP strains, based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The frequency of serum-resistant isolates was the highest among ESBL-KP strains with rmpA (i.e., rmpA+) [71.4% (5/7)] than among of non-ESBL-KP rmpA+ strains [42.8% (6/14)], ESBL-KP strains without rmpA (rmpAā) [33.3% (7/21)], and non-ESBL-KP rmpAā strains [14.2% (2/14)]. The most significant increase in neutrophil resistance occurred in the ESBL-KP rmpA+ strains in comparison to the non-ESBL-KP rmpA+, ESBL-KP rmpAā, and non-ESBL-KP rmpAā strains (pĀ <Ā 0.01). The results of the animal survival model were compatible with the neutrophil phagocytosis reaction and serum bactericidal assay.ConclusionWe conclude that the pathogenic potential is greater in rmpA+ ESBL-KP strains than in rmpAā ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP strains
Developing the Effective Method of Spectral Harmonic Energy Ratio to Analyze the Arterial Pulse Spectrum
In this article, we analyze the arterial pulse in the spectral domain. A parameter, the spectral harmonic energy ratio (SHER), is developed to assess the features of the overly decreased spectral energy in the fourth to sixth harmonic for palpitation patients. Compared with normal subjects, the statistical results reveal that the mean value of SHER in the patient group (57.7 Ā± 27.9) is significantly higher than that of the normal group (39.7 Ā± 20.9) (P-value = .0066 < .01). This means that the total energy in the fourth to sixth harmonic of palpitation patients is significantly less than it is in normal subjects. In other words, the spectral distribution of the arterial pulse gradually decreases for normal subjects while it decreases abruptly in higher-order harmonics (the fourth, fifth and sixth harmonics) for palpitation patients. Hence, SHER is an effective method to distinguish the two groups in the spectral domain. Also, we can thus know that a āgradual decreaseā might mean a ābalancedā state, whereas an āabrupt decreaseā might mean an āunbalancedā state in blood circulation and pulse diagnosis. By SHER, we can determine the ratio of energy distribution in different harmonic bands, and this method gives us a novel viewpoint from which to comprehend and quantify the spectral harmonic distribution of circulation information conveyed by the arterial pulse. These concepts can be further applied to improve the clinical diagnosis not only in Western medicine but also in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Peripheral Sympathectomy for Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Salvage Procedure
We retrospectively reviewed the effectiveness of peripheral sympathectomy for severe Raynaud's phenomenon. In this study, a total of 14 digits from six patients with chronic digital ischemic change were included. All patients had pain, ulcer, or gangrenous change in the affected digits and were unresponsive to pharmacologic or other nonsurgical therapies. In all cases, angiography showed multifocal arterial lesions, so microvascular reconstruction was unfeasible. Peripheral sympathectomy was performed as a salvage procedure to prevent digit amputation. The results were analyzed according to reduction of pain, healing of ulcers, and prevention of amputation. In 12 of the 14 digits, the ulcers healed and amputation was avoided. In the other two digits, the ulcers improved and progressive gangrene was limited. As a salvage procedure for Raynaud's phenomenon recalcitrant to conservative treatment, peripheral sympathectomy improves perfusion to ischemic digits and enables amputation to be avoided
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